With eight games played, the Flyers were pushed to come to a quick decision on where 18-year old rookie Luca Sbisa would play the rest of the season. After 10 games, any juniors player still remaining with an NHL club would count fully against the salary cap and be charged one year on the player’s contract, regardless of whether they continued with the NHL club, or returned to juniors after the allotted 10 games. On Monday, the Flyers came to a decision and Sbisa will be remaining with the Flyers.

Sbisa, born in Ozieri, Italy, has two assists in eight games with the Flyers this season and has impressed with his poise and confidence and is seen as one of the team’s bright spots in a laggy start. Despite being one of the youngest players in the league, Sbisa moves the puck well and can skate, giving the traditionally statuesque Philadelphia defense a new look and some potency and youth. Also in eight games, Sbisa has been more willing to unleash his strong slap shot and play a physical game, not a common characteristic of European offensive defenders. It is unknown where Luca will fit once injured Ryan Parent and Randy Jones return.

About

Ryan Bright (Philabright@gmail.com) is a sports writer, born and raised in the Philadelphia area. A graduate of West Chester University, he has been with the Daily Local News in Chester County since early 2007, working as the paper's college and high school ice hockey beat writer. In 2010, began as a contributer for CSNPhilly.com, covering the Flyers and the Philadelphia Union.

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